A prolific, elegant and utterly classy batsman with a huge appetite for runs, and a calm yet authoritative captain - those are the qualities that best describe Mahela Jayawardene. His sheer quality as a batsman was never in doubt even when he just entered the international scene, but for Jayawardene the biggest challenge has been to justify all the early hype. With over 10,000 runs in both Tests and ODIs - and a captaincy stint that included a World Cup final appearance - it can safely be said that he has met that challenge more than adequately.

Blessed with excellent hand-eye coordination and a fine technique, Jayawardene scores his runs all around the wicket. Among his favourite strokes are the languid cover-drive - often with minimal footwork but precise placement and timing - and the wristy flick off his legs, but there are several others he plays with equal felicity. The most memorable are the cuts and dabs he plays behind the stumps, mostly off spinners, but also against quick bowling, when bat makes contact with ball delightfully late. Apart from his artistry, what stands out about his batting is his hunger for big scores, most apparent in his record 624-run partnership with Kumar Sangakkara, but also in the regularity with which he notches up Test double-hundreds. And his century against Zimbabwe in the World Twenty20 in 2010 was a shining example of traditional methods succeeding in a new format.

Jayawardene is easily one of the most elegant batsmen of his generation, but the major drawback in his career is his relative lack of success in overseas conditions. His averages in Australia, England, South Africa and New Zealand are all less than 35, but at home he averages more than 60.

In the second half of his career, Jayawardene grew into an astute captain who read the game well and wasn't afraid to take risks. Under him, Sri Lanka shed their diffident approach, winning Tests in England and New Zealand, and - in what was Jayawardene's greatest achievement as captain - reached the final of the 2007 World Cup. He quit captaincy in February 2009, but agreed to a second stint, taking over from Tillakaratne Dilshan after the tour to South Africa in 2011-12, but resigned again after a year, handing the reins to Angelo Mathews.

His limited overs batting has improved with age, and an increasing stroke repertoire has seen Jayawardene become almost as impressive an innovator at the crease, as he is a technician. An unbeaten 103 from 88 balls in the 2011 World Cup final made plain his limited overs prowess, and marked him out as a big-match player, having already made a century in the semi-final of the same tournament four years ago.
S Rajesh and ESPNcricinfo staff

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Timeline

August 2-6 1997 Success on debut

On Test debut, Jayawawardene joins in the fun against India in a high-scoring draw at the R Premadasa Stadium with 66 from No. 6. Takes two catches as well.

January 24, 1998 Wrapping it up in style

Hits the winning run from his first delivery in one-day cricket as Sri Lanka chase down 213 with five wickets in hand against Zimbabwe in Colombo.

June 6, 1998 Negotiating a minefield

In just his fourth Test, and on a minefield of a Galle pitch, Jayawardene makes 167 out of a total of 323 against New Zealand. Sri Lanka win the match by an innings and 16 runs to level the series.

Notches up a marathon 242 against India in his seventh Test to secure a draw for Sri Lanka. Is appointed vice-captain later in 1999, but is replaced by Marvan Atapattu after a slump in batting form.

July 21, 2000 Nice to meet the South Africans

Becomes the 12th Sri Lankan to score a hundred in their first appearance against a country with 167 versus South Africa in Galle. It is a new series record, at the time, for the highest individual score on either side in any Sri Lanka-South Africa Test, beating Sanath Jayasuriya's 148 on the first day.

February 26, 2001 Fined

Has his first brush with match officials as he is fined 25% of his match fee for breaching codes 1 and 2 of the ICC code of conduct - unnecessary appealing and running towards the umpire in celebration. This occurs during the first Test against England in Galle.

Dominates a one-day triangular at home featuring West Indies and Zimbabwe with scores of 96, 106 not out and 63.

April 2003 Disappointment at the big stage

Endures a horror run at the 2003 World Cup, managing just 21 runs from seven innings. Prior to the tournament he had been billed as one of the tournament's potential stars having scored heavily for Sri Lanka since establishing his place after the 1999 World Cup. He is dropped for the Sharjah Cup.

May 2003 Leadership responsibilities

Is recalled after scoring runs in a practice match at the start of a tour to New Zealand and is also appointed for a second stint as vice-captain with certain quarters believing he is the ideal man to lead Sri Lanka during the 2007 World Cup.

Gets the captaincy for the first time as the selectors name a second-string side for the fourth ODI against Zimbabwe.

August 3, 2005 A reservoir of talent

Having averaged 22.64 in 18 ODIs since an unbeaten 58 against India in July 2004, Jayawardene taps into his reservoir of talent to produce the type of innings that once saw him anointed as successor to the inimitable Aravinda de Silva. Sri Lanka are down in the doles at 95 for 6, but Jayawardene's unbeaten 94 clinches victory.

May 15, 2006 State of denial

Bats six hours for a century that he knows can - at best - draw the Lord's Test. Following on, Sri Lanka are held together by Jayawardene, and bat out 199 overs to save the Test.

Is fined 20% of his match fee for knocking over the stumps after he is dismissed at Trent Bridge in the final Test of the series. Also becomes only the second Sri Lankan captain to win a Test in England as the three-match series is levelled in style. Sri Lanka take the succeeding one-day series 5-0, and Jawawardene seals the deal with an unbeaten 126 in the second game before making 100 in the fourth. Pulls off spectacular catches and energises his players.

July 2006 The Run Man

His 374 against South Africa in Colombo is the fourth-highest in the all-time list of individual scores, but mere statistics, important as they are, don't tell the full story. Adds 624 for the third wicket - the highest for any wicket in Test or first-class cricket - with Kumar Sangakkara in an effortless exhibition of batting.

August 2006 Cutting down the chase

His 123 against South Africa helps Sri Lanka complete the then sixth-highest successful fourth-innings run-chase in Test history and seal the series with the one-wicket victory.

Enjoys a good first week of the month, first being named Captain of the Year and the captain of the World ODI Team of the Year at the ICC Awards in Mumbai, and then getting the selectors' vote of confidence to captain Sri Lanka at the 2007 World Cup.

March 2007 Wisden's best

Is named one of Wisden's five Cricketers of the Year for his leadership as well as 983 Test and 1,185 ODI runs in 2006, respectively.

April 2007 Success and then the final hurdle

Through an imperious century against New Zealand, takes Sri Lanka to the final of the World Cup. Although Sri Lanka lose the one-sided final to Australia, the team wins the respect of a nation craving a distraction from troubles at home over the last two years.

Becomes only the fourth Sri Lankan to play 100 Tests, during the tour of Bangladesh.

January-February 2009 One-day troubles

Own ODI form becomes a trouble as Sri Lanka struggle to win against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, and just about avoid their first-ever 5-0 whitewash, against India. This includes 18 matches with only one half-century.

February 11, 2009 Bye bye captaincy

Finally gives in to the pressure brought along by poor personal form and ordinary results for the team. Announces the up-coming two Tests against Pakistan will be his last as captain.

Hits his fifth score of 200-plus in his penultimate Test as captain, against Pakistan in Karachi, and shares a 437-run stand with Thilan Samaraweera, the eighth-highest partnership of all time in Tests.

July 26, 2010 Goes past Bradman

Hits his tenth Test hundred at the Sinhalese Sports Club, against India; goes past Don Bradman as the batsman with most hundreds at one venue.

April 2, 2011 A hundred in the World Cup final

Hits a sublime unbeaten century in the 2011 World Cup final, albeit in a losing cause. Becomes only the sixth batsman to hit a century in the World Cup finals and the second Sri Lankan after Aravinda de Silva.

Becomes only the ninth Test batsman to complete 10,000 runs, at Kingsmead, against South Africa, a little over a month after becoming the ninth batsman to join the 10,000-club in ODIs.

March 26, 2012 Galle Test

Hits 180 out of Sri Lanka's total of 318 in the first innings of the Galle Test against England, helping his team to a win. His contribution of 56.6% in that innings is the third-highest by a Sri Lankan in a score of 200 or more.

March 17, 2014 Retires from T20Is

Announces his retirement from T20 internationals in tandem with his team-mate and friend Kumar Sangakkara. Signs off in style as Sri Lanka become the T20 champions. Mahela finishes as the second-highest run-scorer in T20Is.

Announces that he will retire from Test cricket at the end of the forthcoming Test series against Pakistan.

July 24, 2014 34 Test hundreds, 200 catches

Hits his 34th Test hundred, against South Africa at the SSC, and joins Sunil Gavaskar and Brian Lara in the list of batsmen with the most Test hundreds. Also becomes only the third fielder in Tests to take 200 catches.

By stumps on day three of the second Test the inadequacy of New Zealand's first-innings 193 becomes clear: Sri Lanka are ahead with seven wickets in hand and Jayawardene, 21, shows remarkable technique and control for his unbeaten 88. Next day, his captain, Arjuna Ranatunga, nurses him through the nineties to a magnificent maiden Test century that sparks off wild celebrations. The players hug in mid-pitch, a policeman sets off a rocket and, with remarkable timing, a hot-dog vending machine blows up, sending clouds of smoke across the pavilion. But Jayawardene, in only his fourth Test, is not finished yet, and pushes on to a superb 167. He shows the temperament and personality to succeed on the international stage. The next highest score is in the thirties as Sri Lanka total 323. New Zealand fail, in four sessions, to even hit the 130 necessary to make Sri Lanka bat again. Jayawardene is the Man of the Match.

120 v England, Adelaide, January 1999

In an ODI remembered for the controversy of umpire Ross Emerson calling Muttiah Muralitharan for throwing and Ranatunga leading his side off the field, Jayawardene chooses the hottest of times to hit his maiden hundred and help Sri Lanka home by one wicket and two balls left. Chasing 303, Jayawardene crafts 120 from 111 balls before the tail inches home.

242 v India, Colombo, February 1999

Jayawardene converts his second Test hundred into a maiden double in just his seventh Test. Having more or less cemented the No. 3 spot after Asanka Gurusinha's exit from Test cricket, Jayawardene displays the temperament and shots for the long innings. He bats 677 minutes and faces 465 balls overs three days for his 242, hitting 30 fours and a pair of sixes. India pay dearly for dropping Jayawardene five times, the first at 25. He holds the innings together - the only other man to cross 50 is Arjuna Ranatunga - and ensures the game is drawn. Is last out at 485 having reduced India's lead to 33.

After Sanath Jayasuriya goes for 148, Jayawardene walks in and displays marvellous technical skills, confirming his reputation as the future of Sri Lankan batting with 167 in five-and-a-half hours. He never has to wait longer than six balls for a bad one, and finishes with 22 fours and two sixes. He and Chaminda Vaas put on 117 for the eighth wicket, a Sri Lankan record against all-comers, helping them towards the first 500-run total in Tests between these sides.

116 v New Zealand, Sharjah, April 2001

Sri Lanka are reeling at 1 for 2 in the first over before Jayawardene and Jayasuriya combine to add 184. Jayasuriya is the aggressor but Jayawardene is cool, calm and collected during his 116 from 129 balls that fetches him the Man-of-the-Match award. Sri Lanka win by 106 runs.

237 v South Africa, Galle, July 2004

South Africa begin the second day of the first Test full of hope after a late double-strike with the new ball the previous evening and the match is intriguingly poised with Sri Lanka 279 for 7. But Jayawardene, with help from Vaas, powers his side into the box seat with a fine 237. After playing himself in meticulously and patiently, and negotiating the key threat of Shaun Pollock, he clicks into top gear with slow-motion pulls and elegant lofted off-drives. South Africa end up drawing the Test.

Sri Lanka are 95 for 6 in the 26th over chasing 222 against India when Jayawardene shrugs off a wretched run of form to take Sri Lanka home with an unbeaten 94. Jayawardene bats without blemish after Harbhajan Singh misses a glaring chance to run him out for ten, and crosses his his first half-century in 19 games. It is a cool and calculated innings that sets the tone for another gem in the final and a Man-of-the-Series award.

61 and 119 v England, Lord's, May 2006

After top-scoring in the first-innings with 61, Jayawardene helps get Sri Lanka out of jail in quite brilliant fashion when England make them follow on. Trailing by 359 runs after lunch on day three, the visitors survive 199 overs and three new balls on a declining Lord's surface, and it all starts with the captain. Dropped on 58, Jayawardene bats more than six hours for 119 to se the tone for an awesome rearguard innings in which seven batsmen score 50, for only the third time in Test history. That defining innings sets the tone for a drawn series.

374 v South Africa, Colombo, July 2006

Jayawardene takes his love affair with South Africa at home to another level. With best buddy Kumar Sangakarra for company, he destroys 143 years of Wisden records with a third-wicket partnership of 624, the highest for any wicket in first-class cricket. Jayawardene makes 374, the fourth-highest Test innings (and highest by a right-hander), batting with efficiency and class through the second and third days. With unblinking concentration, Jayawardene times almost everything off the middle of the bat, looking relaxed and elegant. Having passed Jayasuriya's 340 against India, Jayawardene approaches Brian Lara 400's but falls 26 short, bowled by one that scuttles along the ground. He bats for 752 minutes, faces 572 balls, and hits 42 fours and a six.

Just after his epic 373 Jayawardene plays, in the context of the game, a better innings. Sri Lanka, chasing 352, are in trouble at 201 for five, with Jayawardene the only specialist batsman left. Crucially, Herschelle Gibbs drops Jayawardene in the gully when he is on two. Jayawardene starts slowly, playing himself in with assiduous care after a reckless waft in the first innings, but eventually settles into a serene rhythm. His shot selection and execution are close to impeccable, and throughout he remains calm and composed, never afraid to play strokes when the opportunity arose. Jayawardene guides Sri Lanka is to the brink of victory by lunch on the final day, but departs when only 19 more are needed with four wickets remaining. Sri Lanka clinch a thriller.

115* v New Zealand, Jamaica, April 2007

In the first semi-final of the 2007 World Cup Jayawardene produced an innings of pure class, a rare gem, when it was most needed. He is raw to begin with, carefully negotiating dot balls, reaching 17 off 47 balls, but then scores 23 in as many balls before slamming 60 off 30. Not for a second does he doubt his ability as the best bat in the team, oozing confidence and playing each shot with control. He finishes with 115 from 109 deliveries as New Zealand are brushed aside.